Universal Pictureshttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/11096/all
enApple Daily: iPhones Overtake Android, Mystery Apple Car, Jobs Biopic Release Datehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_daily_iphones_overtake_android_mystery_apple_car_jobs_biopic_release_date
<!--paging_filter--><p>Tim Cook and friends are no doubt celebrating over the latest report from Kantar Worldpanel, which states that iPhones have taken a greater share of the U.S. smartphone market than Android phones for the first time since 2012. Elsewhere, there's a strange car leased to Apple that's prowling the streets in and around San Francisco, and Universal Pictures finally announces a release day for Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs biopic.</p><h3>Apple (Slightly) Overtakes Android's U.S. Smartphone Market Share</h3><p>The list of statistics showing just how awesome Apple's October to December 2014 quarter was continues to grow, and here's perhaps the best one so far. According to <a href="http://www.kantarworldpanel.com/global/News/Apple-iOS-leads-US-OS-share-for-the-first-time-since-Q4-2012" target="_blank">Kantar Worldpanel</a> (via <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2015/02/04/apples-iphone-overtakes-android-in-us-sales-for-the-first-time-since-2012/?ncid=rss" target="_blank">TechCrunch</a>), Apple's massively successful quarter allowed iPhones to take a greater share of the U.S. smartphone market than Android-based devices for the first time since 2012.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2015/02/kantarwpdec20142.jpg" width="620" height="367" /></p><p>Mind you, it's by a tiny, tiny margin. Based on Kantar's data, iPhones accounted for 47.7 percent of the U.S. smartphone market while Android-based phones accounted for (get this) 47.6 percent. Windows Phone took up most of the rest of the slack with 3.8 percent.&nbsp;</p><p>"While the success of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is unprecedented, this quarter’s performance also points to Apple having its strongest portfolio ever," said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. "With a range of devices available at different price points in both contract and pre-pay Apple was able to take advantage of a weaker Android offering at the premium end of the market."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Apple Testing 'Mysterious' Camera-Equipped Car in Bay Area</h3><p>Apple has a modified Dodge Caravan running around the San Francisco Bay area, and no one's really sure what it's for. San Francisco's <a href="http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/02/03/mystery-van-could-be-apples-entry-in-effort-to-develop-self-driving-vehicle/" target="_blank">KPIX</a> caught sight of the vehicle and its white contraption on top that sports 12 cameras, and later confirmed via California's DMV that the humble vehicle was, in fact, leased to our favorite Cupertino company.</p><p>The most obvious response seems to be that the white device is an imaging tool that could be used for an Apple version of Google's Street View, although the fact that most of the cameras point downward has prompted some more outlandish suggestions.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2015/02/applevan.jpg" width="620" height="288" /></p><p><strong>Via <a href="http://claycord.com/2015/02/03/update-the-mystery-van-driving-around-claycord/" target="_blank">Claycord</a></strong></p><p>According to technology analyst Robe Enderle, we may be seeing a self-driving car designed by Apple. The Claycord blog, which has some of <a href="http://claycord.com/2015/02/03/update-the-mystery-van-driving-around-claycord/" target="_blank">the best pictures</a> of the Caravan, also supports the theory, claiming that it looks extremely similar to an (alleged) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVobOLCj8BM" target="_blank">self-driving car</a> seen in Brooklyn last September.</p><p>Sounds cool, but there are some problems with the theory — the most notable being that Apple simply hasn't received the permits necessary to test self-driving units. Also, Enderle's dismissal of the vehicle as a "street view" device hinges on his assertion that 12 cameras is "too many cameras," even though Google's apparatus for Street View actually has 15 (via <a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/02/03/apple-testing-mysterious-camera-equipped-vehicles-in-the-bay-area?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">AppleInsider</a>).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Universal Pictures Reveals Release Date for Steve Jobs Biopic</h3><p>According to an announcement via CNBC's <a href="https://twitter.com/CNBCnow/status/563059721532616704" target="_blank">Twitter account</a>, Danny Boyle's upcoming biopic based on key moments in the list of Steve Jobs will hit theaters on October 9 of this year. The film stars Michael Fassbender in the role of Steve Jobs and Seth Rogen in the role of Steve Wozniak. Key scenes are currently <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_daily_apple_watch_changing_apple_stores_photos_jobs_biopic_gt_advanced_facility" target="_blank">being shot</a> in the Silicon Valley area.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2015/02/biopicset.jpg" width="620" height="349" /></p><p><em>Follow this article's writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_daily_iphones_overtake_android_mystery_apple_car_jobs_biopic_release_date#commentsNewsApple MapsbiopicDanny BoyleDodge CaravaniOS 8Kantar WorldpanelMichael Fassbenderself-driving carsseth rogenSteve Jobsstreet viewUniversal PicturesThu, 05 Feb 2015 00:00:18 +0000Leif Johnson21266 at http://www.maclife.comMorning Report: Apple ID Recovery Key Nightmare, Bose Heading Back to Applehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_apple_id_recovery_key_nightmare_bose_heading_back_apple
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_id_print_your_recovery_key_620px.png" alt="Print your Recovery Key" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>If you're thinking about turning two-factor authentication on for your Apple ID and iCloud account (a great idea, by the way!), our Tuesday Morning Report has details on a very important "gotcha" you'll want to know about before doing so. There's also some potentially good news for Bose fans, and word of another actor passing on the Steve Jobs biopic.</p><h3>Report Sheds Light on Importance of Apple ID Recovery Keys</h3><p>Security experts seem to unanimously agree that two-factor authentication is a must-have defense against being hacked, but is it possible the additional precaution could actually wind up doing more harm than good? <a href="http://thenextweb.com/apple/2014/12/08/lost-apple-id-learnt-hard-way-careful-two-factor-authentication/" target="_blank">Such was the case for Owen Williams of The Next Web</a>, who filed a report Monday on how he almost lost his Apple ID for good, all because he couldn't find the recovery key generated when he first set up two-factor authentication.<br /><br />As many readers know by now, two-factor authentication combines a password with an additional security layer provided by something in the user's possession — in the case of Apple IDs, an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. The problem is, an intruder attempting to gain access to an iCloud account can inadvertently trigger a lock so strong that only the original recovery key generated at the time of setup can resolve.<br /><br />Apple recommends that users "print or write down" the recovery key at setup and "keep at least one copy in a safe place" other than your computer. Good advice, until that slip of paper is misplaced — say, during a recent move, as was the case for Williams. But surely Apple support can help, right? Over and over, the answer was the same: “We take your security very seriously at Apple, but we cannot help in this situation.”<br /><br />Worse yet, Williams was advised to create a new Apple ID, effectively starting from scratch and potentially losing seven years' worth of iTunes purchases, not to mention the ability to remove his iPhone from the clutches of his old iCloud account.<br /><br />Williams' story does wind up having a happy ending (he found a photo of the recovery key screen taken with his iPhone during setup), but sheds a rather scary light on the importance of those digits for anyone who has enabled two-factor authentication on their own Apple ID. Do you know where your recovery key is?</p><h3>Apple Shelves May Soon Be Stocked with Bose Products Again</h3><p><a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/12/08/bose-products-may-return-to-apple-stores/" target="_blank">MacRumors reported Monday</a> that Bose speakers and other products could soon wind up making a triumphant return to the shelves of Apple retail stores after being yanked worldwide back in October. <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&amp;sl=&amp;tl=en&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.igen.fr%2F%2Faccessoires%2F2014%2F12%2Fapple-store-les-produits-bose-de-retour-la-semaine-prochaine-88875" target="_blank">According to French website iGen.fr</a> (via Google Translate), shipments have already resumed to a number of brick-and-mortar locations, who are being instructed to "put the products back on store shelves next week."<br /><br />It was never quite clear why Apple removed Bose product in the first place, although many assumed the acquisition of rival Beats Electronics may have had something to do with it. Beats also spent the summer fighting a Bose patent infringement claim over noise cancellation technology, which was resolved shortly before the hardware started vanishing from store shelves.</p><h3>Actress Natalie Portman Latest to Walk Away from Jobs Biopic</h3><p>No one knows exactly who she was intended to play, but actress Natalie Portman apparently won't be appearing in the untitled Steve Jobs biopic that recently jumped from Sony to Universal. <a href="http://variety.com/2014/film/news/natalie-portman-passes-on-steve-jobs-biopic-1201372301/" target="_blank"><em>Variety</em> reported Monday</a> that the actress has "parted ways with the female lead" in the big-budget adaptation of the official Walter Isaacson biography on the life and times of the late Apple co-founder.<br /><br />Portman reportedly entered discussions with the film's producers just before Thanksgiving, but sources "don't have an exact reason" as to why the actress chose not to sign up for the project. Danny Boyle is directing from a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, with Michael Fassbender starring as Jobs and Seth Rogen playing the other Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p><em>(Image courtesy of iDownloadBlog.com)</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_apple_id_recovery_key_nightmare_bose_heading_back_apple#commentsNewsapple idApple Retail StoresBosecastingiCloudMorning ReportNatalie PortmanSteve Jobstwo-factor authenticationUniversal PicturesiPadiPhoneiPodMacTue, 09 Dec 2014 13:44:35 +0000J.R. Bookwalter21052 at http://www.maclife.comMorning Report: New iPhone 6 Ads, Universal Rescues Biopic, Voice Thankshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_new_iphone_6_ads_universal_rescues_biopic_voice_thanks
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/reservations_apple_commercial_620px.png" alt="Apple Reservations commercial" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>In what has to be one of the quickest turnarounds in Hollywood history, the Steve Jobs biopic dumped by Sony last week has a new home at Universal, complete with a new leading man to play the iconic Apple CEO. Our Tuesday Morning Report also has the details on a pair of new iPhone 6 commercials, and an opportunity to win $5,000 for you and good cause just by giving Adobe Voice a spin on your iPad.</p><h3>Apple Debuts Pair of New iPhone 6 TV Commercials</h3><p>Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake are at it again, this time in another pair of Apple television commercials for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The fifth and sixth ads in this series focus on the gaming capabilities of the latest smartphone models, as well as iOS 8's ability to make and receive telephone calls on a Mac.<br /><br />"The A8 chip is so powerful it brings gaming to the next level. I mean if you're into that kind of thing," Fallon quips in the first spot entitled "Gamers," which shows the duo squaring off with a round of online battle arena game Vainglory.</p><p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3CEa9fL9nS0" width="620" height="349" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />"Did you know you can use an iPhone 6 to make a call from almost any Apple device?" Fallon inquires in the second commercial entitled "Reservations," which puts the focus on Continuity as the pair begin goofing around making calls between various devices.</p><p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SrxtbB-z2Sc" width="620" height="349" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>Both new commercials are embedded above for your viewing pleasure, or can be viewed directly from the Apple website or the company's official YouTube channel.</p><h3>Universal Rescues Orphaned Steve Jobs Biopic from Sony</h3><p>Talk about fast turnarounds: <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-picks-up-steve-jobs-752149" target="_blank"><em>The Hollywood Reporter</em> announced Monday evening</a> that the biopic on the life of Steve Jobs has found a new home at Universal Pictures, less than a week after being ejected from Sony. Based on the late Apple co-founder's official biography written by Walter Isaacson, the project has been in development for two years, and reportedly fetched upwards of $30 million.<br /><br />The article also confirmed earlier reports that Michael Fassbender is attached to the project to star as Steve Jobs, with director Danny Boyle at the helm working from a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin. No start date has been announced for the production, but Boyle reportedly pushed for an early 2015 shoot to accommodate Fassbender's schedule, which was cited as one of the reasons Sony abandoned the project.</p><h3>Create with Adobe Voice, Earn Chance to Win $5,000</h3><p>What are you thankful for this holiday season? <a href="http://blogs.adobe.com/adobevoice/2014/11/19/voice-your-thanks-for-a-chance-to-win-big/" target="_blank">Adobe has launched a contest</a> to help promote its free Adobe Voice app for iPad, with the winner receiving $5,000, with a matching contribution made to a nonprofit or educational institution of your choice; entrants can also win one of 30 $50 Visa gift cards as part of the promotion.<br /><br />To enter, <a href="https://adobe.promo.eprize.com/voice/" target="_blank">simply download the free Adobe Voice app for iPad</a> and create a short video of 60 seconds or less that shows what you're thankful for. Follow @adobevoice on Twitter and share your video using the hashtag #Voiceyourthanks between now and December 9, 2014 for your chance to win.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_new_iphone_6_ads_universal_rescues_biopic_voice_thanks#commentsNewsAdobe VoiceApple Commercialscontestsiphone 6Jimmy FallonJustin TimberlakeMorning ReportSteve JobsUniversal PicturesiPadiPhoneMacTue, 25 Nov 2014 13:11:33 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20987 at http://www.maclife.comUniversal Movies Now Available for Re-Download via iTunes in the Cloudhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/universal_movies_now_available_redownload_itunes_cloud
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/itunes_purchased_jurassic_park_200px.png" alt="iTunes Purchased with Universal" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />iTunes in the Cloud got way cooler with the launch of the new iPad last month, when Apple announced that movies could now be re-downloaded from any device using your iCloud account. Unfortunately, HBO restrictions held Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox back from joining the party -- but progress is finally being made.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/04/08/universal_pictures_now_available_to_re_download_on_apples_icloud.html" target="_blank">AppleInsider reported over the weekend</a> that feature films released from Universal Pictures have quietly become part of iTunes in the Cloud’s new ability to re-download from any device logged into a user’s iCloud account. That leaves 20th Century Fox as the only major studio sitting on the sidelines, despite a recent report that HBO restrictions preventing the studio from participating have been lifted.<br /><br />“Universal and Fox were initially absent from iCloud as a result of content deals with premium cable network HBO, though those issues were resolved last month,” the report reveals. “Universal Pictures films became available this weekend on iCloud, and users who have previously purchased the films from iTunes can re-download them at no cost.<br /><br />“While Universal's films are now available through iCloud, customers looking to re-download 20th Century Fox must still wait for that content, even though HBO was said last month to have reached an agreement,” the report continues. “<em>The Wall Street Journal</em> said at the time that Fox expected to have its content on iCloud ‘within weeks,’ suggesting it may not be a much longer wait.”<br /><br />iTunes in the Cloud allows users to not only re-download movies they have purchased from iTunes, but also Digital Copy content from iTunes which is included with many Blu-ray and DVD discs these days. Rather than having to store gigabyte-plus files on your local hard drive, iTunes users can simply delete the file after viewing and have the ability to download it again later, from either iTunes on a Mac or PC or any iOS device running iOS 5 or later.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/universal_movies_now_available_redownload_itunes_cloud#commentsNewsdownloadsHBOiCloudiTunesiTunes in the CloudmoviesPurchasedre-downloadUniversal PicturesiPadiPhoneiPodMacMon, 09 Apr 2012 13:15:55 +0000J.R. Bookwalter13769 at http://www.maclife.com